Ian Costello: Munster driven by desire to give veteran trio a fitting Thomond send-off 

With one round remaining and a home game against Benetton in Cork next Friday night, Munster are in control of their own destiny

Munster’s Stephen Archer, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray after the game. Pic: James Crombie

Munster boss Ian Costello said their season-saving performance had been driven by a desire to give Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Stephen Archer the Thomond Park send-off they deserved as his team inflicted a bonus-point victory over derby rivals Ulster to boost their URC play-off hopes.

Munster snapped a three-match losing streak to get their URC play-off bid back on track with a six tries to two win 38-20 on Friday night to climb back into the vital top eight positions ahead of Saturday’s penultimate round games and keep their hopes alive of Champions Cup qualification for next season.